By Filip Sobieszek | Project Leader
Family picnic – a wonderful tradition at the start of summer in Janaszkowo Settlement.
Baking trays with dozens of cakes land on the tables. Every mom brings at least one: cheesecake, yogurt cake, yeast cake, Ukrainian baklava, muffins and gluten-free shortbread cookies. There’s also coffee, juice, water and music. There are soap bubbles, and the most family atmosphere in the whole world. Family Picnic organized by Doctor Piotr Janaszek’s PAY IT FORWARD Foundation is a joyful and colorful sign of upcoming summer holidays. Everyone loves it.
It’s not just a simple picnic at the start of summer holidays. It’s not only a tasting of delicious cakes and a bonfire reaching cloud level where you can find mouthwatering sausages. It’s not only fun and games for children, inflatable slides, facepainting and temporary tattoos found in bubble gum. Above all it is an opportunity for the foundation family to meet. It’s endless conversations, storytelling, reporting on the past school year, mutual support and help. Like at home, like in the family.
- For me, a person who has been a part of Foundation for a short time, things happening here are wonderful, family atmosphere, support, help and kindness is like being as happy as a flea in a doghouse. I love being part of this. I’m not afraid to say that the Foundation is my family. Because this is how we feel, like in a family. My son Bogus loves coming back here. For the first time when he was participating in summer camps organized by the Foundation he experienced things that he will always remember, especially people he met. We thank you with all our hearts for everything – says Ms. Monika. There was a lot of fun, laughter and joy! Everyone found something for themselves. Iwona, Anna, Dorota and the volunteers, as usual, surprised us with their creativity and amazing, good energy.
This year, as in the previous year, the children from Ukraine, Foundation’s charges, also took part in the picnic.
- This is our second picnic together with the Foundation’s charges, and we always admire the atmosphere, how friendly, helpful and close people are to each other. We just feel at home here – said Amelia from Ukraine.
Mrs. Magosia has a son with autism and cannot imagine what their life would look like without the Foundation.
- Our world revolves around the Foundation. It was at the Foundation where we learned to accept what life brings. You can enjoy your life in every situation, and this is what we, parents and our son, have learned over the years thanks to the Foundation. Today, we formed one big support group. The people are fantastic here. I can’t imagine my life without PAY IT FORWARD! – says Magosia.
The picnic brings together families that are associated with the Foundation. There are charges, their families, specialists, therapists, assistants and volunteers. Each of them are doing a truly amazing job at the Foundation. The picnic, apart from being a great opportunity to have fun (soap bubbles and cotton candy broke popularity records this year!), is also an important meeting, conversations, games, competitions, confessions and simply spending time together. See you on the picnic!
P.S.
Popcorn and cotton candy were served by the volunteers, thanks to our Friends from Smurfit Kappa! You DO know what children like the most! <3
Text by Agata Kaminska-Brice
The most beautiful pictures were done by Mikoaj Kaminski
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